Sandy Sanderlin (né Arnold Eugene) passed away peacefully in his home in Lone Tree, Colorado on February 20, 2026 with family by his side.

Sandy was born on October 15, 1930 in Houston, Texas to Ito Pierre and Frances Bell Sanderlin. When Sandy was a young child, his family moved to Ft. Worth, Texas. Sandy and his siblings, Wayne and Eleanor, were raised primarily by their single mom. They were dirt poor, but God provided kind people to assist them. Sandy’s first job, at age 11, was as a paperboy delivering the Ft. Worth Star Telegraph in the stockyards. At age 17, Sandy enlisted in the US Army to escape the increasingly difficult circumstances at home. “Jamais plus,” he resolved. Never again. His mother had to sign permission for him to join the Service because he was underage.

Following basic infantry training at Ft. Ord, California, Sandy was stationed at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. Sandy attended a dance upon arrival on post. From across the room, he saw Audrey (Audie) and was completely smitten. She was the girl he wanted to marry! Unfortunately, he didn’t know how to dance. In order to meet and woo Audie, Sandy paid $5 at a dance school to learn the fox trot. At the next dance he boldly asked her to dance. She said, “Yes.” Sandy courted Audie for a year and half before they married—the beginning of a lifelong, enduring love story. Together they made the family he had never had.

During his time on the East Coast, Sandy completed high school and graduated from two radio communications courses. Then, on May 21, 1950 at the age of 19, Sandy married Audie (age 18) at the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church in Tennent, New Jersey.

Within two months, Sandy was assigned to Hawaii. Over the next 22 years, he not only received a direct commission to become an officer, but progressed from Private to Lieutenant Colonel—his rank at retirement.

Sandy and Audie—and their growing family—lived in 10 different places, including: Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey (twice), France, Georgia (twice), Nebraska, Kansas, The Netherlands, and Colorado. In addition, Sandy did two combat tours in South Vietnam in 1963 and 1970. Sons Pete and Mike were born in Hawaii; Dan and Bruce were born in France. The family was active in churches at every location.

Sandy grew up attending church, but it wasn’t until he and Audie were active at Wahiawa Baptist Church in Hawaii that his faith in Jesus Christ grew. At this time, God gave Sandy his life verse: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Over the years, Sandy’s faith in Jesus became of utmost importance to him. He readily shared about Jesus, His Savior, with anyone he met.

In 1971 Sandy retired from the US Army and joined the family in Littleton, Colorado. For the next 22 years Sandy worked for the Officers’ Christian Fellowship (OCF) as Director of Finance and Development. Several weeks each summer Sandy acted as the program director at Spring Canyon, a Christian camp for military officers and their families. Sandy retired from the OCF in 1992 and began his third career, this time as Vice-President of Development at Denver Seminary—where he worked until 1995. He finished out his working life by substitute teaching in Littleton Public Schools and in Douglas County Schools until age 84.

Sandy and Audie were very active in the churches they attended in Denver: Sandy taught Sunday School, served as an elder and deacon, and gave seminars on personal financial planning. They relished the time spent with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They played tennis and traveled internationally. Sandy rode his bike in Ride the Rockies and he completed the Rawhide Marathon. To his delight, he was invited to spend several weeks on the USS Mariano G. Vallejo submarine. In addition, Sandy was a participant on a Veterans’ Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

In 2017 Sandy and Audie moved to Lone Tree, Colorado where they enjoyed retirement to the fullest. Sandy and Audie were known and loved by all who knew them. Sandy was quick to greet and befriend new people, and knew almost everyone’s name. As Audie’s health declined, Sandy was her full-time caregiver and lovingly served her.

Sandy is survived by his four sons: Pete (Pam), Mike (Lori—deceased), Dan (Laura), and Bruce (Terri); nine grandchildren Joe (Mischa), Colleen, Matthew, Jesse (Rebekah), Kara (Andrew), David (Claire), Janan, Tim (Lauren), and Connor (Emma); and nine great-grandchildren. Sandy is preceded in death by Audie his wife of nearly 75 years, his parents, and daughter-in-law Lori.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the following organizations:

Cherry Creek Presbyterian, 10150 E. Belleview Avenue, Englewood, CO 80111 and/or

Officers’ Christian Fellowship, 4050 Lee Vance Drive Suite 330, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.

Sandy Sanderlin is buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado.